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Students who major in Communicative Disorders and Sciences (CD&S) are seeking careers
in the fields of speech-language pathology or audiology. Speech-language pathologists
identify, evaluate, and treat children and adults with speech, language, cognitive-communication,
and/or swallowing disorders. Audiologists identify, diagnose, and treat individuals
with hearing and/or balance disorders.

The undergraduate coursework in CD&S typically begins when a student has obtained
Junior-level standing. The core curriculum is a two-year course of study that provides
a foundation in speech, language, and hearing sciences, as well as principles of assessing
and treating individuals with communication disorders. The curriculum follows a specific
sequence of courses [pdf] that can only begin in a Fall semester.

Our undergraduate course sequence [pdf] is carefully planned to maximize your success in the program. Please note that Fall
courses are pre-requisites for the courses that we offer in the Spring. Consequently,
students may not begin taking courses in the CD&S curriculum during a Spring semester. Therefore, if you are admitted to SJSU in Spring or decide to change majors mid-year,
please consult with our CD&S undergraduate advisor to plan an appropriate schedule
of classes to enroll in while you wait for your CD&S class sequence [pdf] to start in Fall. For more information about all program requirements, please review
the degree requirements page.

It is important to know that BA in CD&S is not sufficient for a professional career
as a speech-language pathologist or an audiologist. Rather, the undergraduate degree
in CD&S forms the basis for future graduate-level coursework in speech-language pathology
or audiology. State and national standards require a Master's Degree (MA or MS) to
practice speech-language pathology, and a clinical doctoral degree (AuD) to enter
the practice of audiology. San Jose State University's Connie L. Lurie College of
Education offers an MA degree in Education with a concentration in Speech Pathology.
For a complete description of our MA program, please navigate to the MA Degree page. SJSU does not offer an AuD. A comprehensive list of AuD programs can be found on
the websites of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Academy of Audiology.

If you already have an undergraduate degree in another field, but are interested in
becoming a speech-language pathologist, please refer to the Extended MA degree page.

If you would like to change your major to CD&S, please click on the following link
to download the Change of Major Form. After you complete the writable PDF form, please print it and bring it to Sweeney
Hall 115. The department office will then obtain the signature of the department chair
for you, and notify you when your form is ready to be picked up. When you receive
the signed form back, you will be required to take it directly to The Office of the Registrar for processing. Students who have an overall GPA that is below 2.70 will not be able
to have their form signed.